Improvement in drive-chains



L. W. STOCKWELL. Drive-Chains.

No. 219,125. Patented Sept. 2, I879.

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFIon- LEVI W. STOOKWELL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

llVlPROVEMENT IN DRIVE-CHAINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,125, dated September 2, 1879; application filed May 15, 1879.

2, a section in the plane of the line w a: of Fig.

1; Fig. 3, a face view of the coupler-link, also showing the coupled link arranged in position to be withdrawn, the latter link being represented as broken away'to show the form ofthe jointfully; and Fig. 4is an enlarged view of the joint as shown iniFig. 3, the coupled link heing in position to be released.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to provide improved means for the purpose of preventing the detachable links of drive-chains from being detached accidentally, and yet admit of their being detached at will with facility; and my invention consists of certain novel means, substantially as hereinafter described, which I. employ for the purpose above set forth.

A A are the links, and B B are the end bars of the links A A. O O are flattened or (le pressed portions of the bars B B. The parts 0 O, as represented, are arranged on opposite sides of the link, and terminate at one end against the same side bar, all the bars being otherwise cylindrical, by preference.

B B are the end bars of the links A A.

The outer faces or parts of the bars B B are flattened or beveled oft, as shown at a; and D D are hook-shaped projections or couplers extending continuously from or made in one part with the bars B B, the beveled parts a. a forming a portion of the interior faces of the said hooks or couplers, as shown.

E E are short projections extending from the edge of the hook toward the bars B B,

the projection on one hook being opposite the unprojecting part of the other, and the said projections being arranged to lap the nude pressed parts of the bars B B, while the links ing the depressions O (3 directly opposite the extensions E E, so that the links AAwill fall into the couplers. 1 then push the said links A A laterally in the couplers until they are fully together, when I turn the links down, as shown in Fig. 2.

To uncouple the links A A, it is only necessary to raise them again, slide them along in the couplers until the depressions O O and the extensions E E are again opposite, and then draw the links from the couplers.

Thus, while the links may be coupled and uncoupled with facility, it will be perceived that in practice they will not be liable to ,become detached accidentally.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,,is

The detachable drive-chain link A, having in its end bars the short depressions G C, ar-

ranged on opposite sides of the link and near or adjacent to opposite side bars, respectively, in combination with the link A, having both end bars extended "into the rigid couplinghooks D D, having on their outer or free ends, and at opposite corners thereof, respectively, the short tongues E E, to enter the depressions 0 (land admit of coupling and uncoupling by a lateral sliding movement of the link, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

LEVI W. STOOKWELL. Witnesses:

J AS. H. CADY, WM. H. HAWKINS. 

